In one aspect, an optical media converter is provided for use within aircraft data networks. In one example, the optical media converter converts electrical doublet signals to optical Manchester signals, and vice versa. In an illustrative example, the optical media converter includes a receiver circuit coupled to a fiber optic port for receiving a Manchester-encoded input signal using an edge-coupled filter that filters out signals not associated with edges within the time-varying input signal Manchester signal. The optical media converter also provides, for example, for high common mode rejection and includes logic to correct for bit-width skew. The optical media converter is well-suited for use in converting doublet signals generated by a serial interface module of a line replaceable unit of an ARINC 629-compatible system into optical Manchester signals for transmission over a fiber optic bus system interconnected by a star coupler.